Converting Ice Skates

**mrusse01** · 04-08-2006, 02:25 PM

Hello,

I play in men's league up here in Toronto, Canada, and I've seen a few guys rolling around on old converted ice skates (usually Grafs).

I've never been really happy with the quality of the boot in most inline skates, and I've got a pair of Bauer Supreme 5000's that I would like to convert to inline skates. I've searched all over the net, but I can't seem to find any good information on how this process works. Can I just fit any chassis onto my Bauer boots? How much does it usually cost to get done? What are the pro/cons of using a converted skate? Any information, or links that you could provide me with would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

**89jettawolfs** · 04-08-2006, 10:27 PM

up until last year i was using bauer comp 5000 ice boots with an inline chassis. when you buy a chassis make sure you get the right size. they should tell you what sizes the chassis's will fit. then most hockey shops or pro shops or rinks will be able to take off the old chassis and put on the new one. they'll just have to line it up drill new holes and put in rivets. price depends on where you go. i only paid like 25 bucks but i took off the old chassis myself.

**showtime89** · 04-08-2006, 10:28 PM

Exactly what he said. I have paid as little as $15 and as much as $25(2 different set of skates).

Ron Sardina
SUNY Brockport Roller Hockey Club
President and Captain 1995-1999
#89

http://riverrats.8m.com/rsbi.gif

**mrusse01** · 04-09-2006, 01:05 PM

OK, thanks a lot guys. I've got a pair of Missions that are about 2 years old, so I think I'm going to try to use the chassis on those skates.

I've read on here that depending on how you set-up the chassis on the boot, it will make a big difference in the way you skate. Any infomation on this? I think I read that one guy shades his chassis towards the inside of the boot, and towards the back slightly...any idea how important positioning such as this is, and any set-ups you guys have been using would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

**showtime89** · 04-09-2006, 03:05 PM

Yeah, too far forward and you might just fall over backwards while standing still. Best way I have seen is if you like the placement on your current inline skates, measure off the distance or tell the guy doing the riveting job that you want them set up the same distance off the front and sides as the current ones.
Just remember, the more rivet holes you put in the boot, the less structural integrity you will have. So try and get it right the first time.

Ron Sardina
SUNY Brockport Roller Hockey Club
President and Captain 1995-1999
#89

http://riverrats.8m.com/rsbi.gif

**MDE3** · 04-12-2006, 01:22 AM

Having done at least 20 pairs or more myself over the years...two things come to mind...at least as important as the position of the chassis, is the placement of the chassis mounting plates, so that they will have the most outsole to attach the rivets(and keep the chassis solidly attached for the long term).

Often this will dictate the position of the chassis more than personal preference. The smaller the skate, the less room you may have to place the rivets where you want them. Some ice skates will have a smaller outsole than their equivalent inline skate..and the heel plate will end up very close to the inside (and sometimes both) edges of the boot...it may be difficult to actually "select" the position of the chassis mounting. I generally was satisfied if I could get the chassis properly centered on the outsole with the wheels aligned with the centerline of the toe and heel, and with equal overhang front and rear...or "neutral"...this was often very difficult to do.

Picture what happens if you skew or offset the chassis to the inside...It may work well for forward strides in a straight line, but when crossing over, you will feel a lot of leverage on the outside of the boot...and you will tend to contact the floor with your boot on the outside when making a hard, steeply angled turn.

Generally neutral is best for all skating situations, as well as the life of the conversion.... but there will of course be those whose personal experiences and preferences are different.

**89jettawolfs** · 04-15-2006, 12:11 AM

when i had all my chassis's installed they were centered, and felt good. I just got a new pair of tour skates that I'm gonna break in over the summer for next year. I skated on them once, the chassis is just slightly more towards the inside of the boot. not much but i feel it skating. it felt weird at first but it didn't take long before i didn't even notice it. As long as it's close to centered you should be fine.